Tool Retention Device

ABSTRACT

Tool retention device techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus comprises a flexible shell configured to removably secure a power tool through flexing of the flexible shell and a portion connected to the flexible shell and configured to removably attach to an item that is wearable by a user. In one or more implementations, an apparatus comprises a component having two or more securing portions configured to removably secure a power tool by engaging a handle of the power tool, the two or more securing portions being separated by a sufficient distance such that the handle is graspable by a hand of a user and a portion connected to the component and configured to removably attach to an item that is wearable by a user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/287,273 which was filed on Dec. 17, 2009, Attorney Docket No. BT0002, and titled “Tool Retention Device,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Users may utilize a variety of different tools to perform a variety of different tasks. For example, carpenter, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, and so on may interact with a variety of different power tools to perform woodworking, pipe fitting, forming electrical connection, tighten and loosen fasteners, cutting, drilling, grinding, and so on. Because of this, the users may be confronted with a multitude of different tools to perform different tasks. However, a user desiring to carry these tools, such as to different locations in a job site, up and down ladders, through enclosed spaces, and so on may find it difficult to keep these tools convenient. Therefore, the locating and arrangement of these tools may be frustrating, inefficient, and result in lost productivity.

SUMMARY

Tool retention device techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus comprises a flexible shell configured to removably secure a power tool through flexing of the flexible shell and a portion connected to the flexible shell and configured to removably attach to an item that is wearable by a user.

In one or more implementations, a method includes inserting a cordless power drill into a cavity of a plastic shell of a tool retention device a sufficient distance to cause the shell to engage the cordless power drill, the tool retention device configured to be worn by a user and removing the cordless power drill from the plastic shell thereby causing the plastic shell to disengage from the cordless power drill through flexing of the plastic shell.

In one or more implementations, an apparatus comprises a component having two or more securing portions configured to removably secure a power tool by engaging a handle of the power tool, the two or more securing portions being separated by a sufficient distance such that the handle is graspable by a hand of a user and a portion connected to the component and configured to removably attach to an item that is wearable by a user.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example implementation of a tool retention device securing a tool to an item wearable by a user.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing a perspective view of an example implementation of a tool retention device configured to secure a tool for hands-free carrying by a user.

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing another perspective of an example implementation of the tool retention device of FIG. 1 as looking through a cavity of the device.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-section view taken along a longitudinal axis between first and second sections of the tool retention device of FIGS. 1 and 2 and a power tool configured as a cordless power drill.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example implementation of a tool retention device configured to engage a portion of a housing containing a motor of a power tool to secure the power tool.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example implementation of a tool retention device configured to provide level two retention of a tool, the tool retention device being shown in an unsecured position.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example implementation of a tool retention device configured to provide level two retention of a tool, the tool retention device being shown in a secured position.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of another example implementation of a tool retention device that is configured to secure a tool.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an example implementation of the tool retention device of FIG. 8 showing the component without the tool.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an example implementation of the tool retention device of FIG. 8 showing the component as securing the tool depicted in phantom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

A variety of different tools may be employed by a user to perform a variety of different manual work, i.e., work performed by hand. From electricians to plumbers to construction workers and so on, the work performed by these users may involve a wide variety of tools. However, traditional techniques that were used to carry and organize the tools were inefficient, thereby resulting in a large amount of lost time by the user in fetching and tracking the various tools used to perform the job.

Techniques to retain tools are described. In an implementation, a plastic form-fitted shell is designed to retain tools on a user's person. For example, the shell may be designed to provide “level one retention” to the tool by engaging the tool using a protrusion that is fitted to engage an indentation on the tool, thereby providing a positive lock to “snap in” the tool. For instance, the shell may be configured to flex as the tool is inserted into the shell so that the protrusion may engage an indentation on the tool. To release the tool using a level one retention setup, the tool may be pulled from the shell in a manner such that the protrusion is disengaged from the indentation through the flexing of the shell. It should be readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that this design may be reversed (e.g., the indentation may be arranged on the shell and the protrusion arranged on the tool), combined, and so on. Further discussion of a tool retention device employing level one retention may be found in relation to FIGS. 1-5.

A variety of other levels of retention are also contemplated. For example, the shell may also be configured to provide “level two retention,” which describes a configuration in which a retention device is used that involves manual manipulation of the device to disengage a lock and thereby release a tool that is being retained. In one such example, a loop is used to “loop over” a portion of the tool and is disengaged by manual movement of the loop. In another example, a protrusion may be removably disposed to engage and disengage from the tool, e.g., a spring-loaded clip, bar, moveable cam, and so on. A variety of different configurations are contemplated to retain the tool, further discussion of which may be found in relation to FIGS. 6 and 7.

Additionally, the shell may be ambidextrous in that a portion used to attach the shell to a fixture (e.g., a belt clip to attach to a belt or other structure) may be mounted on either side of the shell. Additionally, the portion used to attach the shell may be configured in a variety of way, such as a lockable/unlockable plate that is configured to engage a belt or strap for mounting in a variety of location, such as a belt, thigh rig, shoulder rig, and so on, example of which are described in relation to FIG. 2.

Although the following illustrates an example of a power tool configured as a drill that received in the shell, a wide variety of other tools are contemplated. For example, tools may be configured as an electric hand tool such as a drill, circular saw, cordless screwdriver, reciprocating saw, flashlight; a pneumatic tool (e.g., impact wrench); a non-powered tool (e.g., a hammer, screwdriver, hand saw); and so on.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation 100 of a tool retention device 102 securing a tool 104 to an item 106 wearable by a user. The tool 104 in this case is configured as a cordless power drill, although other tools are also contemplated. For example, tools that may be retained by the tool retention device 102 include manual power tools such as hammers, wrenches, and so on.

Power tools may also be retained by the tool retention device, such as electric (e.g., corded or cordless), pneumatic, combustion powered, and so on. The powered tools, for instance, may include an operational end that is powered by a motor of the powered tool to cut an item being worked on, hit the item, turn the item, heat the item, rotate the item, pull the item, and so forth.

When secured by the tool retention device 102, the tool 104 may be carried “hands free” by the user, and thus permitting use of the user's hands for other tasks. The tool retention device 102 may provide various degrees to retention, further discussion of which may be found in relation to the following figures.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing a perspective view of an example implementation 200 of the tool retention device 102 as configured to secure tools. The tool retention device 102 is configured in this example implementation as a shell formed from a flexible plastic.

The shell of the tool retention device 102 is constructed using first and second sections 202, 204 in this example. The first and second sections 202, 204 are joined to form a generally sleeve like structure. In implementations, the sleeve is configured to be form-fitting to the tool 104 of FIG. 1 that is to be retained by the tool retention device 102, such as to follow contours of a tool that is to be secured therein. For example, the tool retention device 102 may be configured to follow contours of a particular make and model of a tool.

The first and second sections 202, 204 are formed in the illustrated example to provide an opening 206 into which a tool may be inserted to be held and secured by the tool retention device 102, further discussion of which may be found in relation to the following figure.

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing another perspective of an example implementation 300 of the tool retention device 102 of FIG. 1 as looking through a cavity of the device. The first and second sections 202, 204 in this example show a cavity. The first and second sections 202, 204 form the opening 206 into which the tool is to be inserted into the cavity formed by the section for securing by the tool retention device 102. Another opening 302 is disposed opposite the opening 206 through which the tool is to be inserted to permit at least a portion of the tool to extend through the opening 302.

Once the tool is inserted a sufficient distance into the tool retention device 102, the tool may be secured. For example, a protrusion 304 may be configured to engage an indentation of the tool 104. Additionally, the shell of the tool retention device 102 may be configured to flex when the protrusion 304 contacts the tool 104 but before engaging an indentation of the tool. Once engaged, a combination of the protrusion 304 and indentation may provide a positive lock to retain the tool in the tool retention device 102, further discussion of which may be found in relation to FIG. 4.

The tool retention device 102 is also illustrated as including a portion 306 connected to the second section 106 of the shell and configured to removably attach to an item that is wearable by a user. The portion 306, for instance, may be configured to “lock” over an item that is wearable by a user, such as a user's belt, strap, and so on. The belt or other item, for instance, may be positioned through a space 308 between a section 310 that is configured to be mounted to the second section 204 of the shell and a pivotal member 312 that is pivotally connected to the section 210.

The pivotal member 312, for instance, may be connected via a hinge to the section 310. The pivotal member 312 may also be configured to be removably secured to the section 310 through use of a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism, for instance, may be configured to be engaged and disengaged by pressing opposing sides of the pivotal member 312 to control tabs that are received within indentions on the section 310.

In this way, the tool retention device 102 may be attached to items that are to be worn by a user. For example, the portion 306 may be configured to attach to a user's belt as shown in FIG. 1, to a strap of a backpack, vest, or thigh rig, used as part of Modular Lightweight Load-bearing Equipment (MOLLE), and so on. A variety of other locking techniques are also contemplated.

FIG. 4 depicts an example implementation 400 showing a cross-sectional view taken along a longitudinal axis between the first and second sections 202, 204 of the tool retention device 102 of FIGS. 1 and 2 and a portion of the tool 104 configured as a cordless power drill. This example shows a portion of the tool 104 of FIG. 1. Illustrated parts of the tool 104 include jaws 402 that are configured to grasp a bit, a chuck 404 that is configured to tighten and loosen the jaws 402, a torque selector ring 406 that is configured to select an amount of torque to be applied, and a housing 408 configured to contain a motor that is to be used to move the jaws 402, e.g., provide rotational motion.

In this example, a protrusion 304 on the tool retention device 102 is configured to engage an indentation 410 disposed on the tool 104. For example, a user may slide the portion of the tool 104 through the opening, following a longitudinal axis of the tool retention device 102. Once the tool 104 contacts the protrusion 304, the shell of the tool retention device 102 may flex, thereby permitting the tool 104 to be slid further into the tool retention device 102 until the protrusion 304 engages the indentation 410 that is disposed past the chuck 306.

In an implementation, the protrusion 304 engages the indentation 314 when the portion of the tool 104 contacts an end of the cavity formed by the tool retention device 102. Once secured, a portion of the tool 104 (e.g., jaws 402 and part of the chuck 306) is positioned through the opening 302 at the opposing end of the tool retention device 102 in an example implementation. Because the tool retention device 102 is biased through the flexing of the shell, the tool retention device 102 may provide a positive lock with the tool 104 by returning back to approximate original configuration.

It should be readily apparent that various parts of a moving portion of the tool 104 may be used to secure the tool 104 to the tool retention device 102. For example, an indentation 410 past the torque selector ring 308 may be used. Other parts of the tool 104 may also be used, an example of which may be found in relation to the following figure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example implementation 500 of a tool retention device 102 configured to engage a portion of a housing containing a motor of a power tool to secure the power tool. In this example, the protrusion 304 is configured to engage an indentation 502 in the housing 406 that contains a motor of the tool 102. Like before, a user may slide the portion of the tool 104 through the opening, 206 following a longitudinal axis of the tool retention device 102. Once the tool 104 contacts the protrusion 304, the shell of the tool retention device 102 may flex, thereby permitting the tool 104 to be slid further into the tool retention device 102 until the protrusion 304 engages the indentation 502 that is disposed on the housing 408. Because the tool retention device 102 is biased through the flexing of the shell, the tool retention device 102 may provide a positive lock with the tool 104 by returning back to approximate original configuration as before.

Although the previously examples in FIGS. 4 and 5 described location of the protrusion 304 on the tool retention device 102 to engage indentations (e.g., indentations 410, 502) on the tool 104, this configuration may also be reversed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the protrusion may be positioned on the tool 104 and the indentation may be positioned on the tool retention device 102. Additionally, the protrusion may also leverage the contours of the tool 102. For example, the indentation may be designed to follow contours of all or a portion of the chuck 404, intention ring 408, or so on to provide a positive lock between the tool 104 and the tool retention device 102. A variety of other examples are also contemplated.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example implementation 600 of a tool retention device 102 configured to provide level two retention of a tool 104. Level two retention generally involving manual manipulation of a securing element to release an item from being secured, such as by pressing a button, removing a snap, and so on. On the other hand, level one retention as shown in FIGS. 1-5 generally involves a technique to secure an item in which manipulation of the item may be used to remove the item, such as by flexing the tool 104 toward an elongated part of the opening 108 to flex the shell and thereby release the protrusion 304 from the indentation of the tool or vice versa.

In the illustrated example of level two retention, a level two retention device 602 is included as part of the tool retention device 102 that also employs level one retention. The level two retention device 602 includes a strap 604 that is configured to wrap around at least a portion of the tool 104 to restrict movement of the tool 104 from the tool retention device 102. A button 606 is also included that once pressed by a user releases the strap to the open position 604 as shown in FIG. 6.

To secure the tool 104 with the strap 604, the strap 604 may be manually manipulated to move to a secured position as shown in FIG. 7. In the secured position 604, the strap 604 may engage a locking mechanism such that movement of the strap 604 is restricted. As such, the strap 604 is positioned to restrict removal of the tool 104 from the tool retention device 102.

To release the strap 604, a user may press the button which causes the strap 604 to be moved to the unsecured position as shown in FIG. 6, e.g., through use of a spring to bias the strap 604 to the open position. A variety of other examples of level two retention are also contemplated, such as use of a spring-loaded protrusion that engages an indentation of the tool 104, and so on.

FIG. 8 depicts another example implementation 800 of a tool retention device 802 that is configured to secure a tool 104. The tool retention device 802 includes a component 804 that is configured to secure the tool 104. The component 804 is connected to a portion 306 as previously described that is configured to removably attach to an item that is wearable by a user, such as a strap of a user's belt 106 as illustrated.

The component 804 includes first and second securing portions 806, 808. In the illustrated example, the first and second securing portions 806, 808 are configured as hooks that are also configured to flex and therefore provide a bias to secure the tool 1004 to the component 804.

As illustrated, the first and second securing portions 806, 808 are disposed on opposing ends of a handle of the tool 104. Additionally, the first and second securing portions 806, 808 as spaced a sufficient distance apart such that a user may grasp the handle of the tool 104 to remove the tool 104 from the component 804.

For example, the first and second securing portions 806, 808 may be spaced apart such that a user's hand may grasp the handle and pull the tool 104 as generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the user wearing the belt 106. The force of the handle of the tool 104 may cause the first and second securing portions 806, 808 to flex and thereby release the tool 104. This process may be reversed to secure the tool 104 to the component 802 and thereby to a user for hands-free carrying.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an example implementation 900 of the tool retention device 802 of FIG. 8 showing the component without the tool 104. As shown in this example, the first securing portion 806 and the second securing portion 808 have differing sizes to grasp different parts of the handle of the tool 104. Additionally, the component 804 is illustrated as being removably attached to the portion 306 that is configured to grasp an item 106 wearable by a user. In an implementation, the first and second securing portions 806, 808 are sized to support ambidextrous use, e.g., both are the same size as the first securing portion 806 to grasp the handle alone.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an example implementation 1000 of the tool retention device 802 of FIGS. 8 and 9 showing the component with the tool 104 drawn in phantom. As further illustrated in this figure, the first securing portion 806 is sized to fit around the handle, whereas the second securing portion 808 is configured to grasp around the handle and an operating portion (e.g., power button) of the tool 104. Additionally, the first and second securing portions 806, 808 are sized to secure the tool 104 in a generally perpendicular orientation in relation to a longitudinal axis of a user that is carrying the tool 104.

As before, the first and second securing portions 806, 808 are disposed on opposing sides of the handle of the tool 104. The first securing portion 806, for instance, is disposed near a housing 1002 configured to connect to a battery. The second securing portion 808 is disposed near a housing 408 that is configured to contain a motor of the tool 104. The second securing portion 808 is further configured to grasp around a button 1004, thereby protecting the button 1004 from accidental initiation when the tool 104 is secured by the tool retention device 802.

Although two securing portions were shown, it should be readily apparent that a wide variety of other implementations are also contemplated, such as a single integrated portion, portion that is secured to the housing 1002 for the battery, the housing 408 that contains motor, and so on. Further, a variety of different tool 104 configurations are also contemplated, such as hand tools, power tools such as electric (e.g., corded or cordless), pneumatic, combustion powered, and so on. The power tools, for instance, may include an operational end that is powered by a motor of the powered tool to cut an item being worked on, hit the item, turn the item, heat the item, rotate the item, pull the item, and so forth.

CONCLUSION

Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claimed invention. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a flexible shell configured to removably secure a power tool through flexing of the flexible shell; and a portion connected to the flexible shell and configured to removably attach to an item that is wearable by a user.
 2. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible shell is made from a plastic.
 3. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible shell and the power tool are configured to be secured together using a protrusion and an indentation such that the flexible shell is biased to secure the power tool and is flexible to disengage the protrusion from the indentation and thus the power tool from the flexible shell.
 4. An apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein the protrusion or the indentation are disposed within the flexible shell and the other of the protrusion of the indention is disposed on the power tool.
 5. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible shell is configured to be removably secured to a housing that contains a motor of the power tool.
 6. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible shell is configured to be removably secured to a portion of the power tool that is configured to expose movement of a motor of the power tool outside of a housing that contains the motor to perform work.
 7. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible shell is configured as a plastic sleeve that is form-fitting for at least a portion of the power tool and is configured to allow at least a part of the tool to pass into a first opening to be secured therein.
 8. An apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein the sleeve includes a second opening that is disposed as generally opposing the first opening and is configured to permit a portion of the tool to protrude out from the sleeve when the tool is secured by the flexible shell.
 9. An apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein the portion is configured to contact an item to be worked on by the tool.
 10. An apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein the portion is configured to cut the item, hit the item, turn the item, heat the item, or rotate the item.
 11. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the flexible shell is configured to secure the power tool when configured to include a pistol grip having a button configured to operate the power tool.
 12. A method comprising: inserting a cordless power drill into a cavity of a plastic shell of a tool retention device a sufficient distance to cause the shell to engage the cordless power drill, the tool retention device configured to be worn by a user; and removing the cordless power drill from the plastic shell thereby causing the plastic shell to disengage from the battery-powered drill through flexing of the plastic shell.
 13. A method as described in claim 12, wherein the plastic shell is configured to engage a housing that contains a motor of the cordless power drill.
 14. A method as described in claim 12, wherein the plastic shell is configured to engage a chuck of the cordless power drill.
 15. A method as described in claim 12, wherein the plastic shell is configured to engage a torque selection ring of the cordless power drill.
 16. An apparatus comprising: a component having two or more securing portions configured to removably secure a power tool by engaging a handle of the power tool, the two or more securing portions being separated by a sufficient distance such that the handle is graspable by a hand of a user; and a portion connected to the component and configured to removably attach to an item that is wearable by a user.
 17. An apparatus as described in claim 16, wherein the component is configured to secure the handle of the power tool as generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the user when standing.
 18. An apparatus as described in claim 16, wherein the portion is configured the item configured as a belt worn by the user and the component is configured to secure the handle of the power tool as generally parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the belt.
 19. An apparatus as described in claim 16, wherein the power tool includes a housing containing a motor separated by the handle from a housing having a battery.
 20. An apparatus as described in claim 16, wherein the securing portion is configured for removal of the power tool by pulling the handle thereby causing the two or more securing portions to flex and thus disengage from the handle. 